Linguistics, the scientific study of human language, explores what language is, how it works and which features human languages have in common. Our curriculum focuses on understanding how the languages of the world work and on addressing the English language needs of our culturally diverse society. Students in the Department of Linguistics and Language Development (LLD) are part of an ethnically and linguistically diverse student body, taught by nationally and internationally recognized faculty. We offer graduate and undergraduate degrees in linguistics, a certificate in computational linguistics, a master's degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and undergraduate and graduate certificates in TESOL. Our research infrastructure includes a state-of-the-art computer lab, a phonology lab, and access to computerized language data. Approximately 25% of our students come from other countries and contribute greatly to our programs.

The MA- TESOL prepares students to assess and systematically build the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of students from other language backgrounds who wish to learn English or to improve their skills in English. The department strikes a balance between theory and practice. Graduates from the MA- TESOL program staff many of the area's English as a Second Language programs at the community college, adult school and private program level. In addition, a number of TESOL graduates have chosen careers in international settings, teaching English as a Foreign Language in universities, schools and companies in Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Hungary, Mexico and other countries. MA- TESOL graduates are also eligible to teach abroad through the U.S. government sponsored Fulbright and English Teaching Fellow programs. Any undergraduate major is appropriate preparation for this degree.